Strategic Storytelling

Strategic Storytelling

Strategic Storytelling

What is your favorite movie? The best story you’ve been told? Or the best story you tell? You’ll find they have a similar structure –a hero’s journey. We are hard-wired to receive ideas in story form, story has a 400,000 year tradition from the cradle to the grave.So its no surprise that story is a skill leaders must know. The really interesting fact is that in our personal lives we spend up to 80% of our time talking about stories or watching them on TV. But when we come to work we put on the battle clothes and our storytelling reduces to almost nil. How and when do you use stories? Here are key times when stories work best:

When you must communicate a strategy. Most firms don't fail due to a lack of strategy, they fail from a lack of engagement. Every strategy needs a story to communicate it to ensure emotional engagement.

When you are leading. People need to know who you are and why they should follow you. The best leaders have well crafted stories that maximise connection and motivation.

When you are giving a presentation. Classic presentation structures leave little room for stories as we are told to deliver everything in three point agendas. Every presentation has a number of key times to tell stories - and that is what people will remember.

To find out how you can tell more stories and achieve more at work send an email to peteranthony@thriive.net.au

MODEL THE MASTER STORYTELLERS

Master storytellers like Steve Jobs use techniques you can learn too. Either simple techniques to begin presentation or full storytelling structures. I can teach you these tools and how to use them to maximise your business impact every time you speak.

If you have a moment check out how Steve Jobs tells just three stories at his Stanford Commencement address: